Recognizing Postpartum Health Issues in Mothers

The arrival of a new baby is a time of great joy. The focus of the family and community shifts to the newborn. But what about the mother? After nine months of pregnancy and the hard work of childbirth, her body needs to heal. This period, the weeks and months after delivery, is called the postpartum period.

This period is critical, yet it is often overlooked. In fact, a 2021 UNICEF survey in Nigeria found that only 42% of women and their newborns receive a postnatal health check within two days of birth. Many mothers are expected to “be strong” and get back to their duties, even if they feel unwell.

This is dangerous. Serious, life-threatening health problems can appear after childbirth. This post from MyCyberClinics will guide you, your family and your community on how to spot the physical and mental postpartum danger signs and explain where to get help, even if the clinic is far.

The “Forgotten” Period: Why Post-Birth Care Matters

The first six weeks after delivery are a time of massive change. The mother’s body is healing, her hormones are shifting and she is learning to care for a new baby, often while sleep-deprived.

During this time, new mothers are at risk for specific health problems. But getting care is often difficult:

Distance and Cost: Traveling hours to the nearest hospital for a checkup costs money and time that many new mothers, especially in rural areas, do not have.
Focus on the Baby: All attention and resources often go to the baby’s health, while the mother’s health is put last.
Lack of Awareness: Many families do not know what is “normal” after childbirth and what is a life-threatening emergency.

Red Flags: Physical Danger Signs You Must Not Ignore

While some bleeding and discomfort are normal after birth, some symptoms are medical emergencies. If you or a mother you know experiences these, you must seek help immediately from the nearest hospital or Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC).

1. Severe, Sudden, or Increasing Bleeding
- What it looks like: Soaking more than one large sanitary pad in one hour, or passing large blood clots (bigger than a 50 Naira coin).
- What it means: This could be postpartum hemorrhage, a dangerous condition that needs immediate medical help.
2. Fever and Chills
- What it looks like: A high temperature (above 38°C or 100.4°F) that doesn’t go away.
- What it means: This is a major sign of infection in the womb, a C-section wound, or the urinary tract.
3. Foul-Smelling Discharge
- What it looks like: Vaginal discharge that has a very bad, rotten, or fishy smell.
- What it means: This is another clear sign of a uterine infection.
4. Severe Headache, Blurred Vision, or Dizziness
- What it looks like: A pounding headache that painkillers don’t touch, seeing spots, or feeling very dizzy.
- What it means: This is a danger sign for postpartum pre-eclampsia, a serious high blood pressure condition that can lead to seizures.
5. Painful, Red, or Swollen Leg
- What it looks like: Pain, swelling, or redness in one leg, often in the calf.
- What it means: This could be a blood clot (Deep Vein Thrombosis or DVT), which is very dangerous if it travels to the lungs.
6. Severe Pain in Your Belly or C-Section Wound
- What it looks like: Pain that gets worse instead of better, or a wound that is red, swollen, or leaking pus.
- What it means: This is a sign of infection or other internal problems.
7. Painful, Hot, or Red Breasts
- What it looks like: A specific, hard, red and painful area on the breast, often with fever.
- What it means: This could be a breast infection called mastitis.

The “Inner” Sickness: Recognizing Postpartum Depression

A mother’s mental health is just as important as her physical health. It is very common for new mothers to feel tired, weepy and overwhelmed for a week or two after birth. This is often called the “baby blues.”

But sometimes, these feelings are much stronger and last much longer. This is Postpartum Depression (PPD) and it is a serious medical condition. It is NOT a sign of being a “bad mother” or “spiritual weakness.”

Studies in Nigeria show that a high number of new mothers, sometimes 1 in 5 (20%), experience postpartum depression. You are not alone in this.

Signs of Postpartum Depression:

Feeling sad, hopeless, or worthless almost every day, for weeks.
Crying all the time, often for no clear reason.
Having no interest or pleasure in the new baby.
Extreme anxiety or panic; being afraid to be alone with the baby.
Not being able to sleep, even when the baby is sleeping.
Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby.

Harmful Myths vs. Health Facts

Myth (The Dangerous Belief)	Fact (The Safer Reality)
“Postpartum depression is a ‘white people’s’ disease. In Nigeria, it’s just a spiritual attack.”	Fact: PPD is a global medical condition caused by massive hormone changes, exhaustion and stress. It is very real in Nigeria and is treatable with medical and community support.
“A new mother just needs to be strong. Complaining about pain or sadness is a sign of weakness.”	Fact: Pain, fever and severe sadness are the body’s warning signs that something is medically wrong. Ignoring them is dangerous, not strong.
“Putting herbs, hot stones, or ‘peppering’ the vagina will clean the womb faster.”	Fact: These practices can cause severe burns, introduce dangerous infections and worsen bleeding. The body will heal itself. Only wash the outside with clean water.

Where to Turn for Help (When the Clinic is Far)

When you see a danger sign, your next step depends on how serious it is.

For Emergencies (Severe Bleeding, Seizures, Fainting, Severe Headache):
You MUST go to the nearest Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) or hospital immediately. This is not a time to wait. Arrange for transport (okada, keke, car) right away.
For Non-Emergency Worries (Mild Fever, Breast Pain, Sadness):

Use Your Phone (The Private Solution): This is where MyCyberClinics is essential.

If you are feeling very sad and are afraid to tell anyone (because of stigma), you can talk to a doctor on our platform privately.
If you have a fever or breast pain, a doctor can ask you questions, look at the area over video and tell you if you need to travel to a clinic or if you can manage it at home. This saves you a long, expensive and unnecessary journey.

Your Action Plan for a Safe Postpartum Period

A healthy mother is the foundation of a healthy family.

Know the Red Flags: Memorize the top danger signs: Heavy Bleeding, High Fever and Severe Headache. If you see these, act fast.
Trust Your Gut: As a new mother, you know your body. If something feels “off” or “not right,” do not dismiss it.
Talk About Your Feelings: If you are feeling overwhelmed or deeply sad, tell one person you trust (your partner, mother, or a friend). You are not weak for asking for help.
Use Your Phone as Your First Clinic: For any non-emergency worry, a low-cost consultation with MyCyberClinics is your safest, fastest and most private first step.

Looking after a new baby is hard work. Looking after yourself is just as important. If you are a new mother, or know one and are worried about any physical or mental symptoms, don’t wait.

Talk to one of our compassionate, licensed doctors from the privacy of your phone today.